Fans for life rock for the gold year of Beatles concerts in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – None of the stakeholders but avid fans want to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the evolutionary live concert of the Beatles in Manila on July 4, 1966.

Surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr refused offers to return to Manila; Manila Hotel where members were billeted denied any association; and the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium where the two sold-out and record-breaking concerts were held is now closed for such event.

The Manila Hotel has a photo of the Beatles stay there was removed from its archive and is not available for public viewing and publication like luminaries Gen. MacArthur, US President John F. Kennedy and Michael Jackson.

Suites 401 and 402 are now on the fifth floor. How’s that possible? The conversion of the mezzanine into a full level added a floor, changing its upward configuration. They were converted into the MacArthur and Aguinaldo Suites.

Local promoters flopped to get Paul and Ringo back, standing pat never to return to the country. Thus, avid fans have resorted to a do-it-yourself (DIY) commemorations.

Chato and Victoria Ponce with Kr Raposes hold a free party, Come Together, on July 3 at the Gateway Food Plaza at the Araneta Center at 3 p.m. Featuring volunteer bands Pax Machine, The Summers, Kaleidoscope Eyes and we have solo performers Nyng Piñon and Frederick Flores, a freewheeling event with jamming and dancing follows. Food and drinks are available from the stalls.

The Official Beatles Fan Club of the Philippines, Ltd. celebrates at the Black Kings Bar x Café at 107 West Ave, Quezon City on July 8. Door opens at 7 p.m. Entrance ticket at P200 but P500 entitles club membership with entrance plus mug, keychain, event flyer and raffle.

Produced by Magical Mystery Trip Productions, Play Fountains, Romantic Walls, The Streetlights, Roadizz, Sleeping on Sunbeams, Manila ’66, and The Official Fan Club Band divide the concert repertoire plus six Beatles songs.

The Bootleg Beatles does a three-venue commemoration at Newport Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila on July 12, SMX Convention Center Davao City on July 15 and Waterfront Hotel Cebu City on July 16. All shows start at 8 p.m.

Satisfaction guaranteed!